India Monitors 6 Vessels & 166 Seafarers Near Strait Of Hormuz After Houthi’s Blockade Of Saudi Shipping

India is closely monitoring six Indian vessels and the safety of 166 Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said six Indian vessels are currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, with 125 Indian seafarers on board. Another 41 Indian seafarers are working on foreign-flagged vessels in the area.

“We have six Indian vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf, and there are 125 seafarers on board these Indian ships. In addition, there are 41 Indian seafarers on board foreign ships in that area,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is coordinating with relevant authorities to monitor the vessels and ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers in the region, he said.

Commercial shipping in the region faces increased security concerns during the ongoing conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route, remains an important passage for international trade and energy shipments.

Jaiswal also addressed concerns over Indian seafarers working in or travelling through the Black Sea region, where commercial vessels have recently come under attack.

He said India has one of the world’s largest seafaring communities, with many Indian nationals working on both Indian and foreign vessels. However, he said he did not have the exact number of Indian seafarers currently operating on ships in and around the Black Sea.

“We have the second-largest seafaring community. A lot of them are on Indian vessels, and a lot are also on foreign vessels. As to the exact number of Indian seafarers serving on ships in and around the Black Sea, I don’t have the figure with me right now,” he said.

India reiterated that commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure should not be targeted during conflicts.

“We have been very clear in articulating to both our partners and friends and to others also that under no circumstances can commercial shipping or the seafarers or civilians or civilian infrastructure be attacked and it must be avoided,” Jaiswal said.

India also condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region. On Monday, the MEA summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, over an attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI that resulted in the death of an Indian seafarer.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine said merchant vessel MV Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals, was struck at the port of Odesa. Two crew members were reported safe, while information on the remaining two was awaited.

Reference: ANI